Aitor Karanka has dropped a big hint that he'll look to add to his squad when the January window opens.

And he's also suggested that players could leave the club next month.

Karanka refused to be drawn on whether he will once again attempt to sign Hull's Harry Maguire, but did admit he has targets in mind. However the boss once again insisted that his main focus at this stage is the crucial run of fixtures coming up in December.

"We have an amazing recruitment department, we are in December and I have to focus on the games. Whatever else happens, we will see in January."

He then added: "They know the players I want to bring and players who may leave but I have to focus on now.

“Last season in January I didn’t expect to move many players but six or seven did.

“Sometimes as a coach you think players who are happy here want to leave or the other way, I don’t want to do lots of changes but let’s see."

Asked directly about Maguire, the head coach replied: "I like him but Harry is at Hull and I have 26 players."

Harry Maguire celebrates Hull's cup victory over Newcastle

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Here's what else Karanka told the TV cameras in his press conference ahead of Monday's game:

Any injuries ahead of the game?

"No, the only one is George. The rest of the players are ready."

Is it a six-pointer?

“Yes, it’s an important game as Hull and us share the same target - to be in the Premier League next season.

“We are in December and it’s an important game but we can’t drive ourselves crazy thinking it’s a final.

“We have to focus on the way we are performing as if we can play against really good teams and should have won, we have to keep playing in the same way at home.”

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Is it a good time to play Hull?

"I don’t know, they have injuries but are in a good moment, in the semi-finals and one point below us.

“We know from last season it’ll be a difficult game, we have to avoid the risk of complacency thinking we’ve been playing well or that Hull have injuries. “We have to think it’ll be a tough game and focus on us.”

Mike Phelan, manager of Hull City

Should Boro have more points on the board?

“I think against Stoke in the first game we should have won, against Watford we didn’t deserve to lose, against Crystal Palace we didn’t either.

“But the only truth is we have 12 points and we have to keep going. One day we will deserve to win and we will win.”

Are you enjoying this season?

"Yes, a lot.

"I’ve been working in the Championship knowing how tough every game was and now we have the opportunity to prepare for games against the best teams in the league with a new analyst and new players. For me it’s amazing."